Newtown residents have one big wish: lower taxes. Town officials wish to be fairy godmothers, conjuring up one of the obvious ways to lower personal taxes: bring in commercial business. But the result can be more like black magic when development does not preserve the town's character that draws new residents here.encourage the economic development and fiscal health of the community[emphasis added]." It stresses little of maintaining Newtown's character, outside of matching that in the vicinity - which in this case are primarily gas stations. Allowing one restaurant drive-through, otherwise forbidden by zoning regulations, signals the creep of economic development more intent on increasing commercial traffic than preserving Newtown's heritage.

Which businesses are allowed, where they are located, and how they blend into the landscape of Newtown is regulated by zoning laws. Zoning regulations guide development and protect business and residential investments. In recent years, the response to aligning developers' desires with zoning has been the creation of overlay zones, or design districts - and the occasional specialized zoning regulations within these - giving developers more latitude than would be allowed by standard zoning regulations for an area.

Since its implementation, there have been mixed results with development in the South Main Village Design District (SMVDD). In some cases, renovation and building is exemplary to the SMVDD charge to "maintain and enhance a 'New England' character" and be "harmonious related to their surroundings… and to the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings." Others are examples of someone's wand wavering.

It could be due to the lack of participation on the town Design Advisory Board, formed to offer guidance to P&Z. This board has apparently been the victim of dark magic, essentially disappearing. Intended to consist of three regular and two alternates, all design experts, it currently has but one regular member, leaving P&Z members to determine the aesthetics of any proposal in any of the design districts.

Planning and Zoning last month rightly requested that the Tractor Supply proposal design for South Main Street be sent back to the drawing board for better SMVDD compliance. The result is a mere nod to the SMVDD intentions, but despite this, Planning and Zoning approved the proposal on July 21.

A proposed 4,160-square-foot diner near Exit 9, to be situated on a Hawleyville Center Design District site, should "complement" surrounding residential and business properties; and many are far from New England themed.

On Church Hill Road, a 12,250-square-foot retail center that would include a coffeehouse with a drive-through service window has been proposed, and could be approved under guidelines set by the Exit 10 Commercial Design District (CDD) overlay zone.

The Exit 10 CDD "identifies the district and provides regulations and design guidelines that will serve to

We are at the crossroads of determining what Newtown will be in the future. With poor attention to the intent of design districts in town, the historic character of Newtown could end up being simply history.

Lower taxes are on everyone's wish list; but be careful what you wish for.

You might get it.